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Progressives at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse think so, and they’ve produced a “Green Is Sexy” calendar to buff the image of environmentalists. It features 12 pictures of students in various states of undress promoting green causes and products.
“Whether you call yourself a green, an environmentalist, a conservationist, an ecologist, a tree hugger, a dirt-worshiper, or a simple friend of the earth, you are sexy,” said Kristen Pitts, who helped put the calendar together.
Greens get unfairly cast as “eco-terrorists or crazies,” Pitts said. The calendar shows “we know how to have fun.”
Though the calendar’s theme is Green, several models may have turned blue during photo shoots. Six of the photos were taken outdoors in mid-November, and “every shot was cold,” Pitts said.
For the cover photo, which promotes alternative transportation, 18 students wearing only socks and shoes posed with bicycles from UW-L’s Green Bikes service.
Pitts said the coldest photo shoot was in the La Crosse Marsh, where they portaged a canoe so three women and one man could paddle naked. There was ice on the marsh that day, so the picture was digitally altered to put the canoe in a more summer-like scene, she said.
Indoor photos promote water conservation (“shower together”), eating low on the food chain (five naked co-eds eating a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner) and education (20 naked people in a classroom).
Photographer Daniel Durtsche took all the pictures and managed to pose the models so most of their privates are strategically covered. Joe Gullo handled publishing.
“We’re all graduating this year,” Pitts said. “Hopefully, someone will pick it up and do it next year.”
Proceeds from calendar sales will be divided three ways between Campus Progressives, the UW-L Environmental Council and The Second Supper, a campus humor magazine published by Gullo.
The group also got sponsorships from Organic Valley, Popcorn Tavern, Simply Living and the People’s Food Co-op, Pitts said. They printed 250 copies to start and will order more if sales warrant.
The calendar is dedicated to Professor Kenn Maly, who is retiring from the philosophy department. Pitts said Maly, who also is the director of environmental studies, is an example of how one person can make a difference in the world.
Green Is Sexy 2006 Calendar
WHO: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Campus Progressives, UW-L Environmental Council and The Second Supper
PRICE: $10
BUY: E-mail uwlprogressives @yahoo.com and someone will contact you.
Hillsboro calendar helps those with cancer
Another group in the region has produced a “Calendar Girls”-style calendar, featuring mature women in tasteful poses.
The “Somebody Cares” calendar was produced by Bob Franke of Hillsboro, Wis., with models from La Farge, Viola, Edgerton and Hillsboro. Some are cancer survivors or have family or friends who died from cancer. Proceeds from the $15 calendar will go to a fund to help families cope with expenses of cancer treatment.
The calendar is available at Country Favorites in Elroy, Cheese Store and More in Hillsboro, and some locations in Viroqua. It also can be ordered by mail at Someone Cares, P.O. Box 344, Hillsboro, WI 54634.
Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.
